|
Norfolk biofuels pioneer Dennis Thouless is backing calls to stop European manufacturers from cashing in on the UK's drive for greener fuels.
Mr Thouless, whose Shipdham-based venture turns used vegetable oil into driveECO fuel, says there must be a level playing field with Europe to make it financially viable for biodiesel to be "home grown in Britain" from rapeseed.
South-West Norfolk MP Gillian Shephard recently called on the Government to boost East Anglia's economy by speeding up tax cuts on biodiesel, making it competitive with traditional fuels.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has consistently refused to give significant tax breaks for the green fuel. Relief is now 20pc, with another 0.5pc announced in March's Budget speech, but campaigners say only tax cuts of at least 32pc would kickstart biofuel production.
With France and Germany among countries that have no tax on environmentally friendly fuels, there are fears that the UK could be flooded with biofuels from aboard in a bid to meet European Union targets.
Mr Thouless, managing director of Global Commodities UK, wants to turn East Anglia's fields into the "oilfields of the future" and has led extensive talks with government officials and leading members of the farming community to make this vision a reality.
His driveECO fuel is already on sale at various East Anglian filling stations through Norfolk-based Broadland Fuels.
"Britain is lagging considerably behind our European neighbours who supply biodiesel, produced from rapeseed oil, in 5pc mix throughout all their garage forecourts," he said.
Last month, green diesel was introduced to the forecourt of supermarket giant Tesco at Yarmouth. The special diesel blend made by Greenergy is being shipped in from the Continent.
Mr Thouless said many motorists would not realise that the Greenergy fuel at Tesco was imported from abroad and added: "it is a national disgrace that Britain is importing biodiesel produced from rapeseed to the detriment of our farming community and national economy.
With the cost of diesel being at an all-time high, biodiesel is the solution that the UK needs to wake up to."
Mr Thouless has been campaigning relentlessly for a further Customs & Excise reduction of at least 12pc per litre off the price of renewable fuels to help give the UK a level playing field with Europe.
"Global Commodities Uk, the largest producer in the UK, is sending out a plea to the Government - put your money where your mouth is and fuel the biodiesel industry, before it is outsourced to Europe."
| 
